MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas said that a Queens man was convicted by a jury today of all but one count against him for an Independence Day Weekend fracas in Inwood last year that left two victims burned by hot barbecue coals and a police officer also injured.
Frederick Walker, 44, of Far Rockaway, was convicted by a Nassau jury today of four counts of Assault in the 2nd Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree (all D felonies). He was acquitted of Assault in the 1st Degree. The jury deliberated approximately two days after a five-day trial. Walker faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and is due back in court before Acting Supreme Court Justice David Sullivan on Jan. 11, 2016.
“This defendant went on a violent rampage at a holiday weekend barbecue last summer, throwing two people onto hot coals, stabbing one of them, and later assaulting a police officer,” Acting DA Singas said. “Thankfully someone at the gathering intervened and police responded in time to apprehend the defendant, who was convicted by a jury after a five-day trial.”
Acting DA Singas said that on July 5, 2014 at approximately 9:45 p.m., Walker was at a family barbecue outside a Bayview Avenue residence in Inwood when he got into an argument with a 56-year-old female victim. As the argument ensued, Walker knocked over a barbecue grill, spilling hot coals on the sidewalk below. He grabbed the female victim by the hair and threw her down onto the coals, then struck her head against the sidewalk and stabbed her in the neck with barbecue utensils. A 59-year-old man at the party tried to pull Walker off the victim, but was victimized himself when Walker threw him onto the hot coals as well. The female victim suffered burn, laceration and puncture injuries. Walker’s male victim suffered burn and laceration injuries.
Walker was arrested at the scene by Nassau County Police who responded to a 911 call. As Walker was being transported by ambulance to Nassau University Medical Center for treatment for several bruises and lacerations found on his scalp, he became belligerent and combative and kicked a police officer in the hand, causing injury to the officer. Walker was secured with the assistance of an AMT in the ambulance.
Assistant District Attorney Rachel Lasry of Acting DA Singas’ County Court Trial Bureau is prosecuting the case. Walker was represented at trial by Glenn Hardy, Esq.